Professor Erik Champion is an Enterprise Fellow at the University of South Australia, Honorary Research Professor at ANU, Honorary Research Fellow at UWA and Emeritus Professor, Curtin University. He is currently a chief investigator for 1 ARDC Grant, and 4 Australian Research Council grants:2020-2023 ARC Linkage Photogrammetric Reconstruction for Underwater Virtual Heritage Experiences: https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grant/LP180100284 2020-2021 ARC LIEF Time-layered cultural map of Australia: https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grant/LE190100019 2020-2021 The Digitisation Centre of Western Australia (Phase 1): https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/Web/Grant/Grant/LE200100123 PublicationsHis recent books are Organic Design in Twentieth-Century Nordic Architecture (Routledge, 2019), Critical Gaming: Interactive History and Virtual Heritage for Routledge’s Digital Research in the Arts and Humanities Series (2016), and Playing with the Past (Springer, 2011). He was editor of Virtual Heritage: A Guide (2021), The Phenomenology of Real and Virtual Places (Routledge, 2018), and Game Mods: Design, Theory and Criticism (ETC Press, 2012) and he was co-editor of Cultural Heritage Infrastructures in Digital Humanities (Routledge, 2017). He reviews book proposals for MIT, Oxford University Press, Routledge, and a variety of leading academic journals. His next book, Rethinking Virtual Places, will be published by Indiana University Press in November 2021 (Spatial Humanities series).View all posts by EMC →
Just been given the green light to be officially on the following #ARC#LIEF grant: “Australian Cultural Data Engine for Research, Industry and Government” (announced in December but took this long):
“…Australian Cultural Data Engine for Research, Industry and Government. The project aims to develop an Australian Cultural Data Engine (ACD-Engine), which will be an open software engineering facility that interacts with leading existing cultural databases in architecture, visual and performing arts, humanities, and heritage to build a bridge to information and social sciences. The ACD-Engine will unify and expand these disparate and previously unconnected systems to allow advanced analysis techniques to be performed. It will deliver innovative and searchable formats that ensure interoperability, improved search, interactive design and interpretation aids that will benefit the policy and planning for national and international alignments between researchers, industry and government.”
This will be my fourth Australian Research Council grant (Chief Investigator)* since 2018. The University of Melbourne leads this grant, it runs for two years.
*Also an expert advisor on 5-year ARC Indigenous Discovery grant.
SYMPOSIUM: SMALL DATA IS BEAUTIFUL: ANALYTICS, ART AND NARRATIVE
Taking inspiration from the ‘small is beautiful’ mantra of the 1970s which provoked counter-cultural economic and scientific expertise in the name of planetary survival, this symposium invites scholars working on computational methods in the arts, humanities and social sciences to discuss their research with ‘small data’.
Big data is often characterised by the volume, speed and aggregation made possible by automated and intensive computational systems, and over the last decade, data scraping methods and ‘large N’ studies have become dominant trends in socio-cultural digital research. Conversely, small data may be characterised by their limited volume or greater diversity of anomalous patterns, case studies, and research collected manually to answer specific questions.
This concept of “small is beautiful” has a distinctive history and place in the humanities and creative arts, producing specific (if not unique) works and critical commentary in archives tied to the authorial or artistic signature. From a social science perspective, small data may be associated with some forms of qualitative methods, marginalia, ephemera, data that ‘glows’ or narrative analysis of ‘small stories’.
Moreover digital platforms with readily accessible technologies are recomposing scale in unprecedented ways. Such approaches giverise to new possibilities for mass circulation of intimate gestures and the affordances of transnational and first person voices that may not identify with colonising structures or professional institutions of art, culture and political organisation.
Hosted by the Australian Cultural Data Engine, the Narrative Network and the Victorian College for the Arts, this interdisciplinary symposium seeks to nurture and advance our understanding of small data that involves human-scale analyses, thinking about aesthetics, and exploring how narratives emerge from data patterns and their anomalies.
Key questions guiding the event are: how do interactions with small data shape and inspire transformations of knowledge in the twenty-first century? Who collects, owns and curates small data? And when and where does small data hold power? What kind of actions, or play, are possible with small data? Which stories can be told with small data?
Proposals are invited for a two-day symposium with panels, presentations and demonstrations at the Digital Studio, University of Melbourne and online.
Topics may include: • Collecting as little as possible: how small is small? • Data domestics • Fragmented or aberrant data • Data as ritual, data as performance • Bio-data, body data • ‘Smart’ data • Disruptions from data instances • Small data art and aesthetics • Small data industries • Small data and subjectivity • Miniaturisation of digital means • Histories of small data curation • Small data ethics November 12-13, 2021 at the Digital Studio, Arts West building, University of Melbourne, Australia
FORMAT: The symposium will include a mix of in-person and online formats. Keynote presentations and some panels will be scheduled online for the morning sessions (AEST) with other sessions face to face in Melbourne in the afternoon of November 12 and 13 (COVID restrictions permitting). We hope to facilitate a sense of shared understanding and conversation over the two days, and for this reason preference will be given to those who are able to attend both days of the event.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION: please send a 250 word-abstract and bio marked “Small Data” to: digital-studio@unimelb.edu.au before September 30, 2021.
The conference fee is $50 full and $25 students and which will cover catered lunches and afternoon tea. There are a small number of bursaries for interested participants without the financial means to attend (conditions apply).
Registration details will be circulated at a later date.
This chapter examines why we wish to preserve heritage objects and practices via virtual heritage, and why the issue of authenticity is so important here but so seldom addressed. If we could give criteria to select and to create useful and even authentic-oriented virtual heritage projects, what would they be? Or are there methods and solutions out there waiting to be discovered?
I have just written the index for my next book Rethinking Virtual Places and hopefully the final proof. Started about 4-5 years ago so constantly updating it, hope it is out in November at IUP Spatial Humanities series website.
Why did we write it? For all those interested in an introduction to virtual heritage, but facing steep purchase costs for academic books, so it is especially suitable for university undergraduate courses. Download what you need, for free.
And given it was written from go to whoa in less than a year and to a tight word limit, I am very grateful to the authors for their time…
Cite: Champion, E. M. (ed.) 2021. Virtual Heritage: A Guide. London: Ubiquity Press. DOI: https://lnkd.in/gNkNWiB. License: CC-BY-NC.
A major game company (I’d say a global company, not in Australia) invited me to quote/ setup an international advisory board in relation to intangible heritage and digital games to meet annually or biannually virtually or in reality. It is a bit of a challenge looking forward to estimate the budget in this time of pandemics, lockdowns, and border control issues.
Led by Susannah Emery, a game design academic at UniSA, I am part of a small team of academics and game designers (Melonhead games, developed Rooftop Renegade) who will develop a game and teaching resource that explores environmental storytelling.
Are second editions of specialist academic books worth the rewrite? Springer asked me to consider a second edition of Playing With the Past (https://lnkd.in/gXYH5Uy), as 10,000 chapters have been downloaded..but it requires some work to update it.
Apparently, 20% can be rewritten but as most of the main chapters were written in 2003-4, updated before publication in 2011, to update to 2021 will be quite some work. There weren’t so many books and papers in the area when I started! On the other hand it is an opportunity to review what I was trying to determine in 2001-2004 during my PhD candidature. And I would love to replace the original cover. Decisions, decisions!
The 26th International Conference on 3D Web Technology (Web3D 2021) is organized by the Web3D Consortium and the Institute of Information Science and Technologies (ISTI-CNR). The conference focuses on the 3D ecosystem on the web platform, addressing research, development, and applicative use.
Due to the uncertainties related to the pandemic, the conference will be run as a fully virtual event.
This year’s theme is
::::::::::::::::::::::: A Shared 3D Workspace” ::::::::::::::::::::::::
Working together online has been the staple of this last year. Web3D technologies can create a shared, online workspace, with multiple users able to connect and work together in the same environment.
:::::::::: Conference Tracks
Main Track
The conference seeks to cover the world of 3D on the Web across multiple levels: from low-end layers enabling the use of 3D in browsers to high-level applications. The Main Track is the more technical- and research-oriented part of the conference, focusing on original, innovative content.
Session: Web3D for COVID response
The sudden switch to remote teaching/working/interacting prompted many urgent requests for new tools, systems, and paradigms. And the research community answered.
In this track, we intend to bring to the fore all the work done to virtually shorten the distance across people during the emergency, presenting results, innovative approaches, interaction paradigms, and subsequent evaluations.
:::::::::::::::: Special Track: Digital Fashion in the Web
The future of fashion is presented from Italy, one of the historic centers of fashion. We invite experts in various fields of Fashion who have effectively used Web3D technologies in their research and academic and public educational activities.
In the last years, the Fashion industry has been going through impressive virtualization of its production chain. The Web is a great way to reach the global public: Web3D makes this reaching out interactive.
This special track is dedicated to the results and new challenges to bring the fashion industry in the 3D Web: import of assets, collaborative tools, virtual fashion shows, clothes simulation are just a few examples.
:::::::::::::::: Special Track: Online Legacies and Cultural Heritage
The Cultural Heritage domain is increasingly using Web3D technologies to share data for teaching, research, and dissemination among peers and the general public. In this special track, we seek to explore how 3D web technologies contribute to knowledge production once data have been processed, shared, and used through online platforms. What is the legacy and impact of virtual content in documenting, interpreting, and showcasing Cultural Heritage?
To answer this question, we invite experts in various fields of Cultural Heritage that have effectively used Web3D technologies in their research and academic and public educational activities. Particular emphasis is placed on mobile objects: from archaeological finds to reference collections, up to closed and open online repositories; from pipelines to process 3D models for the Web to visualization and design methods. We are particularly interested in experiences stemming from (but not limited to) scholarly research, teaching, curatorial and museum practices, scientific dissemination, and public engagement in general.
:::::::::::::::: Submissions ::::::::::::::::
Technical Papers
We welcome original scientific works presenting 3D web research and applications, in either Full or Short format (9 or 5 pages, respectively). Submissions will undergo a single-blind peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the ACM Digital Library and submitted to major indexing services. Works selected for the Best Paper awards will be invited to submit extended versions to the following journals: Computers & Graphics, Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage
Interactive Posters
This year, we would like to push forward the concept of a poster: instead of an A1 sheet of paper, the authors are requested to make the posted available online in an interactive format. Posters are an ideal method to present applicative works, tech demos, ongoing research, applications.
Tutorials
Tutorials are a way to present new tools to students, researchers, and professionals. Short courses, possibly with hands-on examples and interactive materials are encouraged and proposals targeting naïve and entry-level audiences are well welcomed
Industrial Use Cases
Web3D is an ecosystem with a strong Industrial presence. The Industrial Use Cases are a way for companies and practitioners working with Web3D to present their solutions and technologies. An online, interactive version of the submission is encouraged.
Workshops/Roundtables
Web3D conferences have always been an opportunity to connect with other experts. Researchers, practitioners, standard committees, workgroups may propose to organize a workshop on specific themes of interest for the Web3D community. Workshops may be either presentation sessions moderated by workshop organizers or open discussions on a specific topic of interest.
Hanim 3D Competition
Who can create the best animated-to-music 3D humanoid? We seek for talented animators who want to show their work and win a prize by submitting their creations to the competition.
3D Logo Competition
We are looking for talented 3D artists and designers to jazz up the 2021 Meeting!
The logo and its author(s) will be presented at the opening ceremony and will have the opportunity to present their logo to the audience in a short talk.
Submission deadlines:
Papers: July 30 Interactive Posters: September 3 Tutorials: July 30 Industrial Use Cases: July 30 Workshops: July 30
Topics
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
● HTML5 3D, WebGL, X3D ● 3D data formats, compression, transmission, and streaming ● Web-based rendering, advanced shading ● VR/AR ● 3D content creation, authoring, modeling ● Web-based Geometry Processing ● 3D printing ● 3D API, middleware, toolkits, frameworks ● AI for Web3D ● Human modeling on Web3D ● Semantic Web ● Cloud-based services for large-scale datasets ● Shared virtual spaces, collaborative environments ● Virtual humans, avatars, motion capture ● 3D repositories, marketplaces, asset galleries ● Mobile platforms ● 3D web-based teaching facilities ● Multi-modal 3D interaction paradigms, 3D navigation, gesture, natural interfaces ● Visual analytics ● Diffusion and adoption of 3D Web technologies, comparative studies, historical perspectives, WWW integration ● Novel interactive 3D web applications in all areas and sectors such as entertainment, education, training, cultural heritage, digital twin, medicine, military, smart manufacturing/industry 4.0, information & data visualization, science, geographic information systems (GIS), digital globes, subsurface exploration, and mining, integrated marine data management and visualization, building information modeling (BIM), and architecture.
More information
All the instructions, updates, and the link to the online submission system can be found on the conference webpage:
I have been accepted for/awarded a 3 month visiting fellowship (2021) (Professor Level) at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. They are a partner in the Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies,funded by the Academy of Finland.
I would like to thank my hosts for this invite to the Alvar Aalto city.
I hope to take up this opportunity from early August to early November but everything depends on acceptance to leave the country by the Australian government (the only country I know of where citizens have to ask permission to leave, due to COVID-related border control).
Today I received a letter from Charles Darwin University:
Outstanding Academic Achievement
The most recent review shows that you achieved outstanding results in the UDLF01 – Graduate Certificate of Digital Learning Futures for Semester 1, 2021. It is with pleasure that I congratulate you on your results and the dedication you have shown to your studies throughout the semester. Academic standards are important to educational institutions and students who achieve Distinctions and High Distinctions are to be commended.
Hopefully I receive the actual grades and Certificate soon!
If you have or know of digital games that helped in the “regeneration” of intangible heritage, as well as related organizations, projects and websites or organizations, please let me know…I have been asked to present on this topic on Monday 5 July to overseas gaming companies and academics..
Here was my initial beginning list (woefully incomplete but will soon expand):
Heritage organisations
UNESCO Chairs … I am investigating, most lists of Chairs and Networks are a little out of date and a few seem to have changed or expanded their remit.
Historic Urban Landscapes [UNESCO-associated]-none I know of use digital games but I think that would be useful…
ICOMOS none I know of but it is a huge association.
Europeana/CARARE/ARIADNE are more into digital archives/preservation?
I am going to include Never Alone. There are at least 6-12 in my head that I need to review to see if they really were “regenerating” intangible heritage..
Macquarie University in Sydney, NSW, Australia, plan to hold the above conference 5-7 November 2021 in Sydney Australia (and remotely). I imagine the CFP will be out soon, website is at:
“Integrating the Past into the Present and Future”
Modern, innovative data collection and digital visualisation capabilities are able to capture ancient artefacts and structures, contexts, and traditions faster and in greater detail than ever before. Their sophistication and multi-dimensionality promise engagement with the past at many levels offering opportunities for deeper analyses and experiences to increasingly broader audiences.
This conference will be organised and hosted by the Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and Environment (CACHE). CACHE is a multi-disciplinary research centre focused on research on cross-cultural interaction in ancient cultures from Western Europe to China. Concentrating not only on the history of the societies concerned, but on the languages used, with a special focus on the close study of physical artefacts from antiquity. CACHE engenders transdisciplinary research into ancient knowledge by gathering leading MQ researchers across several disciplines (archaeological science, ancient history and literature, bioarchaeology, biology, environmental sciences) and departments (Human Sciences, International Studies, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ancient History, Geography and Planning). CACHE particularly welcomes contributions reflecting the Indigenous Australian context – submissions concerned with Indigenous issues are especially relevant to the symposium and will be warmly welcomed.
The goal of the conference is to share innovative and creative ideas about web-based interactive 3D applications, including content creation, 3D printing, fabrication, publishing technologies, web tools, annotation, VR/AR, rendering, and many others. This year the conference will be held in full virtual mode, next November 8-12, 2021.
Here the important dates:
July 30 submission deadline August 2 bidding deadline August 31 reviews assignment September 1 reviews due
Some of this can be done remotely as stretching the funding to cover all the costs (and 2 weeks compulsory hotel stay in quarantine on my return) will be difficult.
I can visit colleagues in Europe over the September-October period.
There are new and specific Covid-era visa requirements in Finland.
Was drafting a portfolio on canva to test it out and I notice the (huge) PDF doesn’t seem to have font legibility issues but the shareable linked online version does. Perhaps browser-dependent. Oh well. Will try another application.
I have been informed, that if there are no major holdups the above will be available as a free online book from Ubiquity Press in July 2021. Cover image courtesy of Michael Carter.
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